CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — In continuation with ongoing efforts to raise visibility for the high-tech industry in Illinois, TechAmerica, Governor Pat Quinn and more than 50 Illinois high-tech executives will convene in New York City on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 to open the NASDAQ Stock Market. The event, arranged by TechAmerica, will also emphasize the association’s Illinois Tech Index (NASDAQ: ILTI), and the winners of the 2011 Chicago Innovation Awards.

“As the nation’s largest technology advocacy organization, TechAmerica and our members continue to lead efforts to promote our industry and support innovation in Illinois and throughout the United States,” said T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman, CEO, VASCO Data Security, Inc., and Chairman, TechAmerica Midwest. “Illinois’ outstanding companies, universities, talent pool, R&D capabilities, and quality of life make the state a unique and attractive place to do business.”

“Illinois is proud to be home to some of the world’s most innovative companies,” Governor Quinn said. “We know that jobs follow brainpower and to attract that brainpower, you need to create an environment where the entrepreneurs that drive the 21st century economy can get what they need to make the next big ideas of the future a reality.”

In May 2008, TechAmerica and The NASDAQ Stock Market unveiled the Illinois Tech Index (NASDAQ: ILTI), the first statewide public technology index in the United States. The public-private partnership, supported by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Grant Thornton LLP, Baker & McKenzie, and the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), tracks all public companies headquartered in Illinois from major sectors including high tech manufacturing, information technology, biotech, alternative fuels, and life sciences.

“Our index and annual NASDAQ event demonstrates TechAmerica’s ongoing commitment to promoting Illinois’ high-tech industry and its critical impact on our state and national economy,” said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director and Regional Vice President, TechAmerica Midwest. “TechAmerica and our members are focused on supporting policies and initiatives to promote our industry and create a business environment in Illinois that is conducive to innovation and high quality job growth.”

Attending executives represent many of Illinois’ leading technology companies and employers, including both emerging companies and many of Illinois’ most influential innovators. Participating companies and organizations include:

TechAmerica continues to lead targeted workforce, economic development, and legislative initiatives to elevate Illinois’ position as a leading technology employer and innovator. TechAmerica is also a proud sponsor of the annual Chicago Innovation Awards and is pleased to promote the winners of 2011, all of which will be participating in the Illinois NASDAQ market open.

2011 Chicago Innovation Awards winners:

There were more than 400 nominations for the Chicago Innovation Awards this year, an all-time high, with more than 1400 people attending the full-house event at Chicago’s Harris Theater on November 8, 2011.

Award Winners

The People’s Choice Award was presented to the mobile grocery store with a heart, Fresh Moves. By retrofitting a CTA bus into a one-aisle produce market on wheels, Fresh Moves bring organization and local produce at affordable prices to Chicago’s West Side, bringing financial, social, and environmental benefit to the neighborhoods they serve.

The winners of the 10th annual Chicago Innovation Awards are:

Red Frog Events

Navman Wireless’ Qtanium

Illinois Tool Works’ Global Capless

Tripp Lite’s SRCOOL12K Portable AC Unit

Elkay’s EZstrongO

World Bicycle Relief’s Buffalo Bicycles

Appolicious

Callibra’s Discharge 1-2-3 Composer

Trustwave’s TrustKeeper

Narrative Science

Recognition of the region’s vibrant start-up community came through the Chicago Innovation Awards expanded Up-and Comer Program, done in partnership with J.B. Pritzker and Matt McCall of the venture capital firm New World Ventures. Ten local startups were recognized on stage.

Power2Switch

Tap.Me

FeeFighters

Alltuition

Nexvu

Eved

GiveForward

Clean Urban Energy

Excelerate Labs

Technori

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,000 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry’s largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members’ top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry’s only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org